How Small Business Owners Can Improve Their Financial Literacy

2. Uncover your hidden costs. Have you ever needed to obtain a permit? Or get a license? The expense of these things can start adding up, especially when you factor in the cost of legal services, your own salary, return on investor capital, and capital for future expansion. Don’t forget to add the cost of borrowing money and the interest and debt you may have already accrued. Then start thinking ahead: once you can put numbers to everything that takes money out of your business, you can plan how much you will need to grow going forward.

3. Bone-up on the basics (at the very least). Even if you have a professional helping you with your finances, you still need to understand them. Know how to read – and make use of – income statements and balance sheets, understand your inventories, and learn how to manage your cash flow and supply chain.

4. Know where you stand. Educate yourself on your marketplace. Analyze your competitors and ascertain how your company stacks up against them in terms of goods, services, and pricing. Determine competitors’ strengths and weaknesses and identify opportunities therein. Additionally, work on deepening your understanding of your customers and figure out if they could and would spend more for what you provide. All you have to do is ask.

5. Establish priorities. Making a profit is an obvious goal, but what else should you aim to accomplish? Do you want to see your product on every shelf or only in select boutique stores? Do you want to expand or franchise your services or keep your company small in order to provide customized experiences to those willing to pay for them? Identifying your priorities will help determine the future course of your business, and the correct costs for your products or services.

6. Find a professional you trust. Everyone needs a second opinion. Even if you can only afford a professional’s expertise on a part-time basis, accountants and bookkeepers are invaluable partners who can help you understand where your business is and where it is headed. They will use the data from your financial management tools, analyze it, and work with you to provide an overview of your needs.

7. Determine your worth. How do you price your products or services and how much does an hour of your time cost? These questions confuse most entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, many business owners guess incorrectly and assign arbitrary numbers. In fact, one in four small business owners (27 per cent) believe they may be undercharging based on the high level of value they provide and are therefore impacting their overall profitability and chances for long-term success.

Worth isn’t just about price or what to charge – it’s about the true value of your business, which involves a combination of factors: your products, services, competitive landscape, and the value your business brings to customers. By educating yourself on your financials, and working with the correct tools and credible professionals, you’ll be on your way to a lifetime of success – without leaving anything to chance.